Have you checked the nominees for this year’s (2016) Presidential Medal of Freedom? It certainly helped ME understand in part why Democrats lost the election to Donald Trump. “Out of Touch!”

About a-third of the recipients are linked to Hollywood/the entertainment arena.

Are they contributors who need to be rewarded? I say NO! Just me, since most people seem to have no objections. But I do!

These entertainers have FAME and money. Now we’re giving them a medal too? For what? It we think they need a trophy…how about an Oscar or a Cy Young or whatever award their industry gives out…and award the Presidential Medals to people who actually CONTRIBUTE to society AS A WHOLE, in a MEANINGFUL way that changes lives for the better?

Yes we go to a movie, watch a show, dance at a concert etc, to “unwind”. Fun is good. But compare that to the doctors who beg for medicines and contributions to bring healthcare to rural poor — or the struggling single mom who steps up and gives her kid an extra bagged lunch for that other kid who does not have any lunch, then collects funds to PAY for school lunches for those who can’t afford it?

THOSE are my kinds of people.

Yes, “celebrities” are fine. I even like some of them but apart from those who embrace causes (like Bono), I don’t see a “celebrity” as being uber important just because the person makes millions from acting or singing or playing a sport…

Are there NO police, no teachers, no firemen who worked without sleep for 2 days or more to battle a stubborn wildfire; no “regular” person worthy of commendation? Or is it that the criteria for that Medal does not fit the category of person I’m referring to? I don’t know…

I prefer to champion hard-working men and women who go about their lives helping others everyday. These dedicated citizens don’t travel in limos or wear thousand-dollar shoes or eat at fancy restaurants or live in million-dollar homes. But they brave attitude, ingratitude, bodily harm and economic loss daily to serve the greater good…without fame or million-dollar payouts and DON’T EXPECT fame or millions for what they do!

What about those who VOLUNTEER to read to kids, visit the elderly, take pride in doing their jobs well, even leave their jobs/families to help after disasters? Yes, some celebrities do that too (without a court mandating they do community service).

But how about Medals of Freedom for overworked social workers who troll the streets looking for drug overdoses and the homeless in winter? Teachers who use their own money to buy art supplies or turn under-performing schools around? Professionals who organize homework help or tutor disadvantaged kids or start youth leagues? Medics who rush to disasters? Cops who do karaoke sing-alongs in their car to foster better community relations? Volunteers who organize for our troops? Kids who do great things?

Have we forgotten these people? No wonder election 2016 “these people” developed their own case of amnesia! Puh-leese!

I would give the Presidential medal of Freedom to more worthy recipients than the following people:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – the National Basketball Association’s all-time leading scorer. So what?

Ellen DeGeneres – comedian. So what?

Robert De Niro – actor. So what?

Tom Hanks – actor. So what?

Michael Jordan – actor/film-maker. So what?

Lorne Michaels – producer and screenwriter, best known for creating and producingSaturday Night Live. Ha Ha!

Diana Ross – entertainer. And what else?

Vin Scully – broadcaster who, for 67 seasons, was the voice of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. So what?

Bruce Springsteen – singer, songwriter, and bandleader. So what?

Cicely Tyson – entertainer. So what?

EXCEPTION: Robert Redford – YES! I would honor HIM. NOT because he is a famous actor but because HE founded the Sundance Institute. Sundance advances the work of independent filmmakers and storytellers throughout the world, including through the annual Sundance Film Festival.

Sundance gives voice to film-makers who would not otherwise get heard or seen. Redford DID something with his fame and money, something to BENEFIT others on a large scale.

My criteria when deciding who gets the Presidential Medal of Freedom would be: What did you do over your lifetime/career to benefit others – NOT whether you’re famous for singing, acting or playing ball! But what did you do with that fame, that opportunity, that platform – to benefit others? In other words: “What have you done for US (U.S?) lately?”

But then, maybe their contributions are political? As in donations? How would I, you, we know?

Because famous only? SO WHAT?! When a “star” wins an Oscar or makes 10-million for a film, a new Ferrari may go into production, but that payout does not help fill a poor child’s stomach in the inner city or pay the mortgage for some family facing foreclosure in the heartland. There are people fighting these issues every day, at great personal cost. How about a MEDAL for them? Them who have no-one and nothing but grit and perseverance and determination…?

Is this the Presidential Medal of Famedom? If so, I see several in Kim Kardashian’s future!

When you get it, it sometimes turns against you! It’s even worse when we DON’T listen to warnings from others – or ignore red flags – or heed that inner, nagging voice! So now Republicans have their President-elect. Trump! And I wonder how that feels in private. Because Trump and his beliefs do not jive with Conservative Republicans and their beliefs.

However, republicans were so blinded by Supreme Court appointments and “repealing” Obamacare” that they jumped into bed with Trump. Now whatever Trump does reflects on them! My prediction is: The same wave that swept them into office will also sweep them back out…except the ebbing wave could be a Tsunami!

If I was advising the Republican Party, here’s what I’d tell them:

Take the moral high road. Take a strong stance. Forget about the Supreme Court. Judges will not dictate how Americans live their lives. If you try to use the courts to put restrictions on people or ram your personal beliefs down others throats, you will unleash a tide of civil unrest and opposition that will hurt not only the economy, but America’s reputation and your party’s credibility and prospects.

Remember, REMEMBER, that MORE people voted AGAINST Trump than FOR Trump. All those people who voted 3rd parties, 3rd candidates or write-ins also voted AGAINST Trump too!

Chaffetz

Plus many of the people who voted FOR Trump do not necessarily like Trump or even support Trump or the GOP. They just chose to thumb their noses against “the establishment” and TRY Trump for size. These voters can return Trump in 4 years (if by then we still have a democracy!)…or demand a mid-term exchange in 2 years!

Very few republicans came out against Trump and stuck to their principles.

Most of them, like Speaker Paul Ryan and that spineless Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz, flip-flopped and wavered when they thought of their own political futures. They rushed to reject Trump when polls showed he was losing – then rushed to bow at the altar of Trump when it seemed like he was winning. Do they think Trump will EVER forget they did not support him during most of his campaign!

Republicans have a shock coming – a MAJOR shock. Because if they have not yet figured it out yet, Trump will do things only one way: TRUMP’S way, and he won’t care whether that advances or decreases “Republican goals”, especially as he’s NOT beholden to them for money or connections or advice. Trump is interested only in advancing one brand: TRUMP!

And I for one, can’t wait!

I can’t wait to see how Trump deals with Russia and Putin – and see how that fits with GOP goals.

Can’t wait to see how he deals with foreign interventions – and how that fits with GOP goals.

Can’t wait to see how he deals with Immigration Reform – and Muslims – and how that fits with GOP goals.

Can’t wait to see how he goes about cutting the debt – and how that fits with GOP goals.

Can’t wait to see how many white supremacists he places in positions of power…and how that fits with GOP protestations of non-racism.

Can’t wait to see how many family members Trump invites to the swamp…and how this plays out with Republicans attacks on “Pay for Play”.

Please “drain the swamp!” And see how surprised you’ll be at what you find, are already beginning to find, at the bottom!

Finally, I also wish to remind Republicans that the results of this election DO NOT reflect a long-term trend. So far, this election remains an anomaly UNLESS Trump delivers, brings never-Trumpers into the fold, does not get involved in “Pay for Play” scandals related to his business dealings, does NOT alienate those who voted for him and/or DOES NOT further repulse those who did NOT vote for him!

Guess if anyone can do this, it is Donald Trump. I, for one, am willing to give him a chance…

Which is MORE than Republicans gave to President Obama. Around this time in 2008, right after President Obama was first elected, Republicans were meeting in secret to plot and plan how to undermine Obama and pledging loyalty to their “Just Say NO!” approach. Yet today, those very same republicans are urging people to support the new president and give him a chance. Go figure!

Hypocrites. DRAIN THE SWAMP, Mr. Trump!!! We’re watching and waiting with extra nets, thigh-high waders and some stun guns and harpoons for the many toothy alligators, sharks and other vermin lurking below the surface.

And DO NOT forget the vultures circling overhead!

Or the establishment rattlesnakes swimming around you, with tape on their rattlers! Said rattlers (Giuliani, Gingrich, et al) see YOU as their meal-ticket to positions they would NEVER otherwise gain. Because they are so yesterday, their return date is past…even to their own fellow republicans who DO NOT want them, would not vote for them or even hire them – except to hand them a 10-foot pole (30 foot pole?) to propel themselves deeper into the swamp!!!

I suspect many voters already have buyers remorse. Too bad. No returns until 2020. Don’t lose that receipt!

They can go to hell for all I care. Maybe, just maybe, they will start LISTENING to the “ordinary” people they depend on to campaign for them and to cast ballots. Maybe, just maybe, they will open their doors and listen to us – instead of the Donna Braziles!

Which is why I did not lift a finger to campaign this cycle…nor did I contribute any money, despite the numerous texts to contribute just a dollar – or $3! Why the hell should I contribute money for a chance to ride with the candidate — or to meet the President? Shouldn’t I be able to meet the president without having to buy that favor? I tried to contact the President for free. I wrote to the White House several times. They never replied or acknowledged me. So why the hell should I campaign for your legacy?

And why should I chip in, when I earn next to nothing and you’re doing NOTHING for me, DID nothing for me in the last 8-years, while you’re millionaires? For 8 years democrats had a chance to do something on immigration, but they played politics with people’s lives and futures, then close to the 2012 election, democrats come up with DACA as another political ruse…instead of reforming immigration when they held BOTH the house and Senate in 2008.

Again: Get lost! Serve you right. Most of America is now red and pretty soon, your party’ll be dead!

I once foolishly tried to reach out to democrats. I also offered to testify on Immigration. But I guess I’m not a star, not a Hollywood personality! Who ended up testifying? Stephen Colbert! Instead of hearing from a real immigrant, lawmakers chose to play-act. And now you want me to campaign for you? How about getting the people who stayed in the Lincoln bedroom to go door knocking for you! Rural republicans are not the only ones hurting. Urban democrats are hurting too!

I think Democrats should go back and thank Rahm Emanuel who apparently persuaded President Obama to ABANDON Immigration Reform (reportedly against Michele Obama’s advice) in favor of Health Care/Obamacare which has been a noose around the neck of the President and the Democratic Party, ever since.

To the so-called “democrats” who sabotaged Hillary Clinton’s campaign, the Socialists who should perhaps form their own party instead of hiding under the democrats banner (because socialist is a dirty word in America) — thanks. Thank you Bernie Sanders for beating up on Hillary Clinton and giving Trump ammunition to aim at her. The party is yours now. But half that party will never vote for you either!

Thanks for helping damage and sully Clinton’s image and reputation and solidify her negativity in the eyes of voters.

Congratulations to the Bernie voters who did not “like or trust” Hillary Clinton enough so they voted 3rd party. You voted for Attorney General Chris Christie and Secretary of State Newt Gingrich and whatever Rudy Giuliani will be. I hope you like the representation you will get from your 3rd party candidate. I’d hate to see you throw your vote away.

You must be ecstatic that Hillary did not win! Yes, indeed — thanks for your “protest” vote! You will be invited to the White House to meet with Jeff Sessions and doctor Ben Carson to talk about climate change and all the other issues that you hold dear. Both Trump and your protest candidate will appoint Supreme Court judges who will uphold the issues you champion, like same-sex marriage and women’s reproductive rights.

………………………

Now I really feel sorry for Trump supporters. The ones who really believe he can actually DELIVER on the things he promised you.

I can already see the very warm welcome he’s going to get from both democrats and the “never Trump” republicans – to push his agenda.

I can’t wait to see him:

Build the wall…even WITH Mexico paying for it!

Repeal Obamacare.

Round up and deport (illegal) immigrants.

Battle the environmentalists on his energy policies.

Battle his own party on non-intervention and trade.

Get the jobs that evaporate due to technology to come back.

Lock up Hillary Clinton.

Send prosperous blacks and Hispanics back to being maids and underlings.